The Home Office has suspended decision-making on asylum applications from Iraqi nationals. According to the Asylum and Policy Directorate at the Immigration and Nationality Directorate, this decision been made in the light of military action against Iraq and took effect yesterday.

There will currently be no substantive asylum interviews of Iraqis; those already booked have been cancelled. The screening process will continue and Iraqi asylum applicants still have to complete the Statement of Evidence form within the usual deadlines. The Home Office is requesting that appeals in Iraqi cases are adjourned.

This policy will be kept under review.